Hot Listings

Former President Jimmy Carter (far left) with Habitat volunteers and the Burris family (right) in 1987. Gwendolyn and John Burris stand behind their daughters, Conswella, Saundra, Gwendella, and Lilugenia.

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter (far right, in blue overalls) joins the first-ever Habitat Women Build, May 1991.

in a hospital laundry—the family had bounced from apartment to run-down apartment. The new house brought stability for the children. “All of them earned diplomas,” John says proudly.

The Burris home is typical of Habitat designs. It’s a little more than 1,000 square feet, with an uncomplicated box outline that's e cient to build. There’s an inset front porch, a cool place to sit and visit in the heat of Southern summers, and a low-pitched roof, which saved lumber.

Since 1987, Charlotte has continued to in uence the national Habitat organization. Longtime Observer journalist Frye Gaillard penned the organization’s rst history, If I Were a Carpenter, published in 1996. Davidson developer Paul Leonard served as Habitat International’s interim CEO in 2004 and 2005, a er the organization’s board red Millard Fuller. Most notably, Mary Nell McPherson, Susan Hancock, and Darlene Jonas organized an all-female project called Women Build here in 1991. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter took part, sweating as she helped heave wall frames into place. Women Build projects are now a Habitat signature worldwide.

Today, more than 1,400 Habitat houses pepper neighborhoods throughout the region, says Laura Belcher, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region. A home repair program and nancial literacy classes aid additional families. And construction continues—including a 39-home development, the organization’s largest ever, expected to break ground this month near Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

As gentri cation displaces many low-income Charlotteans, Habitat families have a huge advantage: ownership. John Burris watches as home prices near Optimist Hall soar past $400,000. “If they o er me what I want for my house, I’m willing to sell,” Burris says. “Enough for me to go out and buy me a house and have a little nest egg le .

“They’d be buying all my memories away. But I’m ready to go.”

BUILDING HISTORY is a monthly series that highlights Charlotte’s historic buildings. Tom Hanchett, a local historian since 1981, is the author of Sorting Out the New South City: Race, Class, and Urban Development in Charlotte and former sta historian at the Levine Museum of the New South. Follow him on Twitter at @historysouth.

REAL ESTATE Hot Listings

Inviting homes with impressive amenities. —Taylor Bowler

1425 MEADOWOOD LANE $3,720,000 PROVIDENCE PARK The main level of this manor house has a cathedral wood-beam ceiling, stone replace surround, and glistening hardwood oors. The covered back porch has a replace, built-in grill, and motorized screens. 6 BD, 9 BA, 10,185 sq. . Helen Adams Realty, helenadamsrealty.com

3612 ENGLISH GARDEN DRIVE $3,590,000 MONTIBELLO Expansive windows, soaring ceilings, and a oating staircase add to the grandeur of this modern estate. The chef’s kitchen has top-of-the-line appliances, custom cabinets, and an oversized double island with a waterfall edge. 6 BD, 8 BA, 7,561 sq. . HM Properties, hmproperties.com

2538 SELWYN AVE. $4,815,000 MYERS PARK Built in 1917, this sprawling compound includes a detached garage with a guest cottage, multiple porches and patios, and an in-ground pool. The owner’s suite has a replace, jewelry closet, dressing room, and an additional washer and dryer. 6 BD, 7 BA, 5,815 sq. . Dickens Mitchener & Associates, dickensmitchener.com

2116 FLORAL AVE. $975,000 DILWORTH A 2015 renovation gave this historic bungalow a modern chef’s kitchen with a gas range, oversized island, and custom cement countertops; a walk-in laundry room; and a spacious owner’s suite with walk-in shower, dual vanity, and custom closet. 5 BD, 4 BA, 2,528 sq. . Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty, bhhscarolinas.com